‘Kings Speech’ takes on ‘Kick-Ass’ for British Independent best picture

Legitimate award show nominations are finally starting to roll in. Today, the British Independent Film Awards announced the nominations for the organization’s 2010 event. Unlike other kudos, the British Indie nods are selected by a larger pool (70 members) and then the winners are awarded by 13 judges.

Not surprisingly, festival and crowd favorite “The King’s Speech” led all pictures with eight nods. “Monsters,” “Never Let Me Go” and “The Arbor” found six nominations, “Four Lions” laughed up five and “Another Year,” “Made in Dagenham” and “Brighton Rock” ended up with four each. The big surprise is that “Kick-Ass” and “Monsters” received best picture nods but critically acclaimed Oscar contenders “Another Year” and “Made in Dagenham” did not. Many moviegoers may have been unaware “Kick-Ass” was actually an independent film, but director and producer Matthew Vaughn (who also landed a best director nod) completely financed the comic adaptation himself before Lionsgate secured domestic rights.

The 13th British Independent Film Awards will be handed out on Dec. 5 in London. A complete list of this year’s nominees can be found below.